08-04-2024
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK's automotive trade association, has issued a stark warning that the number of electric vehicle charging points is failing to keep pace with the surging demand for plug-in cars.
The SMMT's warning comes amid a backdrop of booming electric vehicle sales. In 2020, battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations more than quadrupled year-on-year, reaching a record 175,000 units. This rapid growth has seen the ratio of chargers to electric vehicles deteriorate significantly, from 11:1 in 2019 to 16:1 in 2020.
North East - 10:1
London - 10:1
Wales - 12:1
Scotland - 17:1
Northern Ireland - 17:1
East Midlands - 24:1
West Midlands - 35:1
Yorkshire & Humber - 43:1
South West - 44:1
South East - 44:1
North West - 49:1
East of England - 49:1
It comes as no surprise that London is at the top of the list, as you would expect a capital city to be leading the way when it comes to EV infrastructure.
Wales and Scotland are the more rural areas and are still storming ahead with the amount of EV chargers per EV registration.
On the other end of the spectrum, the East of England and North West have the fewest EV chargers per EV registration, meaning it will be harder to find a public charge point in these areas.
The SMMT is calling on the government to invest in more charging infrastructure, arguing that a lack of readily available charging points is a major barrier to electric vehicle adoption. The Society's chief executive, Mike Hawes, said: "The electric revolution is unstoppable, but we need a charging network fit for purpose if we are to capitalize on the environmental and economic benefits that EVs offer."
The SMMT's concerns are echoed by other industry experts. A recent report by the RAC Foundation found that the number of charge points needs to grow by a factor of ten in order to meet demand by 2030, when the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned in the UK.
The lack of charging infrastructure is a particular issue in rural areas, where there are far fewer charge points than in urban areas. This is a major barrier to electric vehicle adoption in rural communities, as it makes it difficult for people to travel long distances without fear of running out of charge.
The government has pledged to invest £1.5 billion in charging infrastructure by 2025, but the SMMT says that more needs to be done. The Society is calling for the government to introduce a number of measures to boost charger rollout, including:
The SMMT's warnings highlight the importance of investing in charging infrastructure if the UK is to meet its ambitious electric vehicle targets. The government has a key role to play in ensuring that there are enough charge points available to meet the growing demand for plug-in cars.
In addition to the points mentioned above, the government could also consider measures such as offering tax breaks to businesses that install charge points, and working with local authorities to identify suitable locations for new charge points.
By taking these steps, the government can help to ensure that the UK's electric vehicle revolution is a success.